The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.
JOHN 4:49–50
He was an important government official who worked for Herod Antipas. He had heard about this Healer named Jesus—the Jewish Messiah, some said. Many Galileans had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and witnessed the miracles He performed there. People were excited to know He was traveling back from Judea to Galilee. After Jesus spent a couple of days in a Samaritan village preaching and sharing His message of the Kingdom, He stopped at Cana where He already had quite a reputation. It was here in Cana that He saved a wedding feast from disaster (and the host from embarrassment) by turning 180 gallons of water into wine!
And it was here, in Cana, that the government official hoped to find Jesus now. He was desperate. His little boy was very sick with a high fever and the doctors said there was nothing more they could do. His precious little boy was dying, and he, a reputable nobleman, could do absolutely nothing to save him. But Jesus could. It was barely dawn when he left home to walk over twenty miles through the countryside, barely stopping for rest, in hopes of convincing Jesus to come back to Capernaum with him. If He would just come with him, his son wouldn’t die.
He arrived at the city gate and immediately began asking people where to find Jesus. A man of his stature had no problem getting people to cooperate, and quickly. A few townspeople led him to the place where Jesus was staying, and the homeowner immediately let him inside. A man on a mission, he went right up to Jesus and pleaded, “Lord, my son is about to die. Please come with me back to Capernaum and heal him. Please, Lord!” he begged. Knowing his noble stature, Jesus looked at him intently and asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” But he ignored the Lord’s question and continued to plead, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” Calmly and matter-of-factly, Jesus said, “Go back home. Your son will live!” At that moment, he believed what Jesus said was true. Without another word of pleading or coaxing, he turned around and walked out the door.
He rested well that evening and began the twenty-mile trek back to Capernaum at sunrise. While he was on his way, he spotted some men shouting and running toward him from a distance. When he got closer, he recognized some of his servants. “Master!” they shouted. “Your son is alive and well!” Relief and joy rushed through his body and tears flooded his eyes. Thank You, Lord. Thank You. Running toward them, he asked, “When did he start to get better?” They replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” The official realized that was the very time Jesus had spoken the words, “Your son will live.” He couldn’t wait to get back home and embrace his little boy. He couldn’t wait to tell his wife and relatives what had happened. And he couldn’t wait to publicly praise Jesus and give Him all the glory. He did just that, and his entire household believed (John 4:43–54).
When this man humbled himself and called Jesus “Lord,” he was addressing Him as someone who had authority over him, even though as a government official he had worldly authority over Jesus. He believed that Jesus was the Healer, and he proved it by walking twenty miles to plead for his son’s life. Then he acted on his belief by walking twenty miles back home, taking Jesus at His word. Jesus was not impressed by the official’s title. He was impressed by his faith. The official’s faith resulted not only in the physical healing of his son, but in the spiritual healing of his entire household. You, too, can move the heart of God by acting on your faith. Don’t just believe He can. Act as if He already did. Dare to believe.
Lord, so often when I pray or others pray for me, I wait to see if You answer before I dare to believe. Please forgive my unbelief! I know nothing is impossible for You, but I want more! After I pray for healing, help me to take the next step of faith. Help me to act and think like a person who is completely whole! Help me to believe You and act on my belief.
Lord, I am so grateful that Your healing power is not limited by time or distance. Thank You for all those who keep me lifted up in prayer. Whether they pray from twenty miles away or right next to me, I know their faith moves Your heart. I dare to believe. May others believe when they see Your power at work in me. All for Your glory.